Tank cycle yet?

Reef-Tank · Feb 5, 2020

Hello everyone! First i want to introduce i got a used tank 40 gallons breeder with custom overflow and sump luckily i got it free from a nice friend that i met in state 1 1/2 hrs drive and i'm very please with this tank. Thanks @Crabs McJones !!! And here are my questions hope some one could answers. Thanks in advance!

This is first time I have used Microbacter XLM kit for fishless cycle and by their recommend dosage total water volume on first day reached to 2ppm Ammonia mark! Tank was cycling with ATO to keep water stable and temperature until today the 7th final day Ammonia hit to safe level 0. ppm. But the Nitrite still at 1 ppm mark with Redsea test kit. Anyone have any idea about this and your recommend at this point ? Thanks a lot!!!

Quietman · Feb 5, 2020

Wait another day or two....but nitrite isn't a concern for saltwater as it's not toxic to saltwater fish (it is toxic to freshwater).

What's your nitrate level? 0 ammonia with nitrates is good indication of complete cycling. You should see around 8 or more ppm nitrates.

Qasimja · Feb 5, 2020

ammonia to nitrite part of the cycle is much quicker then nitrite to nitrate are you testing for nitrates at all yet

Reef-Tank · Feb 5, 2020

Thank you very much! @Quietman and @Qasimja for your recommendation. I just have finished Nitrates test to make sure it correct reading and it's look like some where in between 20-50 ppm it look mostly color move on 50 ppm side. Also would you recommend which protein skimmer should i use for this tank Eshopps S-120 or Bubble King Royal Exclusive 160 Red Dragon 6? I'm planning to have 3-4 fish with soft corals and some SPS. Thank you very much!!!

Quietman · Feb 5, 2020

Do you have both skimmers now and want to know which to install? Because if so, then I like the DC control on a skimmer. I have a RSR170 (37 gallon) and I went with Tunze 9410DC and couldn't be happier. Oversized though, but since I'm going no fuge and carbon dosing, it's my main export. If you're using fuge, go smaller as it'll make up the difference plus you'll have to watch going too low on nutrients.

Reef-Tank · Feb 5, 2020

Yes i have both skimmers now and I'm planning to have cheatos reactor seem to be easy maintain and not sure which skimmer is right for this tank. Thanks

Dbichler · Feb 5, 2020

Dose to 2ppm ammonia again if gone tomorrow. Do as large of a waterchange as you can as fast as you can and your good to go. I would use the bubble king imo.

Reef-Tank · Feb 5, 2020

Dbichler said:
Dose to 2ppm ammonia again if gone tomorrow. Do as large of a waterchange as you can as fast as you can and your good to go. I would use the bubble king imo.

I have to re-dose again to 2ppm ? it took 7 days to bring it down to 0. ppm lols